Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed the next Archbishop of Canterbury, making history as the first woman to hold the Church of England’s highest office.
The 63-year-old, who once served as England’s youngest-ever Chief Nursing Officer, entered the priesthood in 2006 and became the Church’s most senior female bishop in 2018 when she was appointed Bishop of London.
Her blend of healthcare leadership and pastoral experience has earned her a reputation as both a reformer and a healer within the Church.
In her first remarks on Friday, delivered at Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah condemned the “horrific violence” of Thursday’s deadly synagogue attack in Manchester. “We must stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism in all its forms. Hatred and racism cannot be allowed to tear us apart,” she said.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Church, which has been without a permanent Archbishop since Justin Welby resigned nearly a year ago over his handling of a safeguarding scandal.
A damning inquiry found he failed to act on evidence of abuse by prominent church figure John Smyth. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell has overseen Welby’s responsibilities in the interim, though he too has faced criticism over past safeguarding cases.
Tradition dictates that the name of the chosen candidate is passed from the Church’s appointment commission to the Prime Minister—now Sir Keir Starmer—and then to the monarch.
King Charles III has formally welcomed Dame Sarah’s appointment, calling the role “of great importance in the UK and across the global Anglican Communion.”
Sir Keir also praised her, saying he looked forward to working with her in her new role.
Though not formally enthroned until early next year after a confirmation of election and the required homage to the King, Dame Sarah has already acknowledged the historic weight of her appointment. “Being the first woman is significant,” she said. “When I go into schools, young girls sit up and listen. They may not want to be Archbishop, but they begin to imagine new possibilities for themselves.”
Her tenure will be defined by urgent challenges: rebuilding trust after decades of safeguarding failures, addressing the steady decline in church attendance, and guiding the Anglican Communion through divisions on same-sex marriage and social justice.
Known as a staunch opponent of assisted dying, she has also been a leading voice for compassion in abuse reforms and greater inclusion in the Church. She chaired the group that helped pave the way for the blessing of same-sex couples in 2023, describing the moment as “a sign of hope.”
Despite her achievements, the appointment has not been without controversy. Conservative Anglican groups have voiced opposition, insisting the Bible allows only male bishops. Yet her supporters, including former Archbishop Rowan Williams, say she is uniquely positioned to bridge divides. “The Archbishop of Canterbury must keep a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other,” Williams said. “It’s a heavy expectation.”
Married with two children, Dame Sarah spent over three decades in the NHS before answering the call to ministry. She has since risen to become one of the Church’s most influential leaders, known for combining administrative expertise with pastoral care.
As she prepares to take on her new role, she has pledged to confront past failures head-on. “Safeguarding must never again be an afterthought,” she said. “We must all be willing to have light shone on our actions, whatever our role in the Church.”
With her appointment, the Church of England enters a new chapter—one that blends tradition with the breaking of centuries-old barriers.
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